22 



pitalization. The patrol vessel then returned to the southernmost 

 berg m latitude 43°01' N., longitude 49°58' W. Fog set in that night 

 and covered the area until May 1 so the Cham plain remained in the 

 vicinity of this berg. 



With moderate visibility on May 1, search courses were run south 

 of the Tail of the Banks in an unsuccessful effort to relocate the two 

 southernmost bergs. Dense fog again set in that night and continued 

 until the following evening. The General Greene was met and the latest 

 current map delivered to the patrol vessel at 1600 on May 2. During 

 the period of poor visibility from April 30 to May 2, inclusive, vessels 

 were advised in the regular ice broadcasts that bergs were drifting 

 rapidly south in the Labrador Current and would tend to spread over 

 a wide area upon their arrival at the Tail of the Banks. 



On May 3 and 4 excellent visibility was afforded and the area 

 south and east of the Tail of the Banks was thoroughly searched. 

 Eight bergs were sighted on the 3d and the four southernmost re- 

 located on the 4th. Six of these bergs were medium sized and two 

 were large, one of which was a drydock type with one pinnacle esti- 

 mated to be 80 feet high and the other 120 feet high. The other large 

 berg was pyramid shaped, approximately 120 feet high; the Ice Patrol 

 vessel remaining with this berg that night and during a period of low 

 visibility on May 5. On May 6 it was noted from position reports 

 received that several vessels would pass through the area between 

 latitudes 41°20' N. and 42°00' N. and longitudes 48°00' W. and 

 52°00' W. during daylight hours and with good visibility. The 

 vessels passed through as was expected and failed to report any ice. 

 The Champlain, in the meantime, May 6 and 7 scouted the cold 

 current north of the range of visibility of the aforementioned vessels. 

 Four bergs were sighted in the following positions: One in latitude 

 42°40' N., longitude 49°14'W.; one in latitude 42°44' N., longitude 

 50°15' W.; and two of the bergs sighted on the 3d in latitude 43°09' 

 N., longitude 49°42'W. and latitude 43°12' N., longitude 49°12' W. 

 were relocated in latitude 42°36' N., longitude 49°39' W. and latitude 

 42°41' N., longitude 50°07' W., respectively. Two additional bergs 

 were sighted on the 7th; one in latitude 42°25' N., longitude 49°26' 

 W. and one in latitude 42°23' N., longitude 50°22' W. That night, 

 the berg first sighted on the 6th in latitude 42°40' N., longitude 

 49014/ ^ ^,^5 relocated in latitude 42°31' N., longitude 48°54' W. 



The easternmost berg was in slow moving, mixed water which 

 should tend to carry it to the northeast, however, the prevailing 

 northerly winds might force it into the southeastern branch of the 

 rapidly moving cold current. In view of this unsettled situation, it 

 was decided to remain with this berg until its drift was ascertained. 

 The drift was finally determined to be southeast. When left on the 

 morning of the 9th, it had drifted to latitude 42°13' N., longitude 



